Pyrophoric lighter



Sept. 6, 1949. R. BURCHETT ET AL PYROPHORIC LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1946 INVENTORS RAY L.BURCHETT BY FREDERICK MEYER A TORNEYS Sept. 6, 1949. R. BURCHETT ET AL 2,481,195

PYROPHORIG LIGHTER Filed Jan. 9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 Z Z Z M 24 4 Ill/1111110114 Ls a INVENTORS RAY L. BURCHETT FREDERICK MEYER TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1949 2,481,195 rmornomc norm-2a Ray L. Burchett, Newark, and Frederick Meyer,

Union, N.

J., assignors to Ronson Art Metal Works, Inc., Newark, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 9, 1946, Serial No. 640,084

(01. law- 1.1)

1 4 Claims. our invention relates to pyrophoric lighters. The usual pyrophoric lighter comprises a serrated wheel which is engaged by a spring-pressed pyrophoric element. Each time that the lighter is operated, a step of rotative movement is imparted to the serrated wheel. In accordance with our invention, the serrated wheel of such a pyrophoric lighter is loosely mounted on a member or axle which, in an improved manner, is nonrotatably secured to a pair of supporting standards therefor.

Our invention has further reference to ratchet mechanism for imparting step-by-step rotative movement to the serrated wheel of a pyrophoric lighter, such mechanism comprising a clutch disk which is supported in a novel manner by a tubular extension or shoulder which projects from the serrated wheel.

Further, our invention relates to novel pinion or gear segment arrangements which are associated with the side walls of a snuifer lever to thereby prod-uce an oscillatory unit forming part of the lighter mechanism.

Still further, our invention relates to a method of producin a serrated wheel for a pyrophoric lighter which involves the initial formation of chamfers or bevels at the peripheral corners of an unfinished wheel and the subsequent formation thereon of peripheral serrations and side face ratchet teeth.

Our invention has further reference to a novel method of producing integral gear segment and block arrangements which are associated with the respective side walls of a snuffer lever for a pyrophoric lighter.

Various other objects, advantages and features of our invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

our invention resides in the features, combinations, arrangements and method steps of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of our invention and for an illustration of some of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view, partly broken away, showin a pyrophoric lighter constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly broken away, showing the pyrophoric lighter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view illustrating a detailed feature of the invention;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are elevational views showing the novel clutch disk of our invention;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing an incomplete wheel destined to form a serrated wheel for a pyrophoric lighter;

Figs. 9 and 10, respectively, are front and side elevational views showing a finished serrated wheel formed from the wheel shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view showing a modified form of clutch disk;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, illustrating an improved operating arrangement for a pyrophoric lighter;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing parts of the mechanism of Fig. 12 in disassembled relation;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the parts of Fig. 13 in assembled relation;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view showing a snuil'er lever and an associated gear segment arrangement;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line l8l6 of Fig. 15 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 1'7 and 18, respectively, are elevational and plan views illustrating a blank destined to form the two gear segment arrangement shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is an elevational view showing the blank of Figs. 17 and 18 after it has been subjected to a manufacturing operation; and

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a novel gear segment arrangement of our invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, we have shown a pyrophoric lighter casing C having a top wall I from which a pair of spaced standards or supports 2 extend in parallel, vertical relation. These standards 2 are provided, respectively, with apertures or passages 2a which are transversely aiined for the reception 01' a horizontal axle or member 3 having its head So flushly engaging the exterior surface of that standard 2 .at the left, Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the other end of the axle 3 is shown as comprising a flange or shoulder 3b beyond which extends a diametrically reduced end portion 30 of said axle 3. As illustrated, the shoulder 3b abuts the inner surface of that standard 2 at the right, Figs. 3 and 4, and the axle end portion 3c is freely received in the passage 2a formed in said last named standard 2. Extending into the axle 3 at the end thereof opposite the head to is a threaded passage 3d which receives the threaded shank of a screw 4, the head 4:: of which flushly engages the exterior surface of that standard 2 at the right, Figs. 3 and 4.

. rated wheel 5. The arrangement that the head 3a of theaxle 3 may be held stationary by ascrew driver and that another screw driver may be engaged with the head 4a of the screw 4 to tighten the same. As a result, the shoulder 3b of the axle 3 is brought into binding engagement with the inner surface of the adjacent standard 2 and the flat underside of the screw head 4a is brought into binding engagement with the exterior surface of said standard 2. Hence, during operation' of the lighter mechanism as hereinafter described, rotation of said axle 3 is positively prevented.

As shown particularly in Fig. 3, the axle 3 supports a hardened metallic, peripherally serrated wheel 5 and a pair of ear segments 5 which are disposed at opposite respective sides of said seris such that the serrated wheel 5 and the gear segment 6 are freely rotatable on the axle 3. In known manner, a pyrophoric element I projecting from an appropriate tube 5 is maintained under spring pressure in engagement with the serrated wheel 5.

A snuifer lever 9 comprising parallel side walls is so constructed that each side wall, in proper location, has a tooth-shaped piercing 9a. These tooth-shaped piercing 9a are transversely alined and each of them, in meshing relation, receives a gear segment 5. Accordingly, in the manner hereinafter described, the gear segments 5 may be actuated to effect unitary rotary movement thereof and the associated snuifer lever 9 about the axis defined by the axle 3. As well known in the art, the snufler lever 9 may carry a snuffer cap l which engages the upper surface of a wick tube ll secured to the top casing wall I. A wick i2 extends through and terminates above the wick tube H, said wick l2 depending into the casing C where it is disposed in fuel-transferring relation with suitable fuel such as that contained in a mass of cotton l3 or the like. From a consideration of Fig. 3, it will be noted that the thickness of each gear segment 6 is substantially greater than the thickness of each side wall of the snuffer lever 9. Further, the arrangement is such that the outer portion of each gear segment 5 is disposed outwardly of the adjacent side wall of the snuifer lever 9. A thumb or finger piece It mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement in known manner above the top casing wall I comprises a pair of parallel rack extensions [5 which mesh, respectively, with said outer portions of the respective gear segments 6.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 10, the aforesaid serrated wheel 5 is shown as comprising an integral tubular extension i6 which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle 3, this tubular extension I6 forming a shoulder which supports the clutch disk'hereinafter referred to. The side face of the serrated wheel 5, between the tubular extension Hi and the periphery thereof, is shaped to form a circular row of ratchet teeth as indicated at H, Fig. 9, each ratchet tooth defining an arc of the circle. With the serrated wheel 5 disposed in a vertical plane as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each ratchet tooth ll comprises an inclined surface It which merges into a surface IS (the high part of the ratchet tooth) disposed in a vertical plane extending preferably parallel with the plane of the serrated wheel 5. The surface l9 terminates in a surface 20 (the part of the ratchet tooth which is gripped by the hereinafter described clutch tooth of the clutch disk) extending longitudinally and approximately radially of the serrated wheel 5. At

along the arc definedthereby, Fig. 9.

'4 its "low or inner end, the surface I! merges into the inclined surface ll of the next successive ratchet tooth, this being the low part of the ratchet tooth. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that all of the ratchet tooth surfaces l9 are disposed in a common plane extending parallel with the plane of the serrated wheel 5. As an incident of the manufacturing operation, each ratchet tooth has flared configuration Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, we have shown a disk or member 2i formed preferably from hardened, resilient steel and having a circular passage 2 la, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the diameter of the aforesaid shoulder I6 of the serrated wheel 5. In accordance with the invention and as indicated at 2lb,.the disk 2| is provided with a circular dished portion extending circumferentially around the disk passage 2la. Further, the disk 2i, at any selected location in the outer portion thereof, is slotted generally in a radial direction so that the resilient disk material may be displaced and permanently set in angular relation to the disk plane whereby there is formed a resilient, clutch tooth 2Ic which is disposed at the same side of said disk 2! as is the aforesaid dished portion 2") thereof. Still further, the disk 2|, in the plane thereof, should be provided with symmetrical, oppositely extending end portions 2ld, 2ld disposed at the upper side thereof when said disk 2| is positioned as shown in Fig. 6, the upper straight surfaces 2 le of these projecting portions being joined by a curved surface 2| f which, in part, is defined by the upper surface of the clutch tooth 2Ic when the latter is positioned between said portions 21d and H11,

as described.

In Fig. 3, the parts of lighter mechanism hereinbefore described are shown in assembled relation. The axle 3 is non-rotatably secured to the standards 2 in the manner described above and said axle 3 supports the serrated wheel 5 and gear segments 5 in such manner that these parts are freely oscillatory thereon. The standards 2 closely engage the respective outer surface of the gear segment 6 and, hence, prevent movement of the assembly longitudially along the axle 3. In the manner described, the gear segments 6 are meshed with the respective tooth-shaped piercings 9a of the snuifer lever 9. The clutch disk 2| is mounted for free movement on the tubular extension l6 of the serrated wheel 5 and the .connecting curved surface 2| of said clutch disk 2| are in engagement with the corresponding interior surface of the snuifer lever 9 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6. By virtue of the arrangement last described, the clutch disk 2| is associated with the snuffer lever 9 in such manner that it is oscillatory therewith as a unit. The clutch tooth 2 lo of the clutch disk 2 I, due to its inherent resiliency and set configuration, engages that surface of the serrated wheel 5 on which the hereinbefore described ratchet teeth I! are formed and, during operation of the lighter mechanism, coacts in ratchet fashion with said ratchet teeth.

When the thumb piece I4 is manually depressed, Fig. 2, the rack extensions l5 thereof coact with the respective gear segments 5 to effect oscillatory movement in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, of the snufiFer lever 8 and the clutch disk 2|. In response to this movement, the clutch tooth 2 le of said clutch disk 2| engages a ratchet tooth surface 20 and, as a result, the serrated wheel 5 stated, the clutch disk 2| moves with the snuffer lever 9 and, therefore, during the snufler lever movement last described, said clutch disk 2| moves with respect to the serrated wheel 5, which at this time is stationary, the clutch tooth 2|c idling or sliding past the ratchet teeth ll.

A lighter mechanism of the character described above is advantageous in several respects. Thus, the member or axle 3, by virtue of the described clamping arrangement therefor, continuously remains stationary or non-rotatable with respect to its supporting standards 2. Therefore, during operation of the lighter mechanism, there is no tendency for wear to occur between the member 3 and said standards 2 with resultant enlargement of the standard passages 2a and consequent undesired misalignment of the lighter parts.

Another feature of importance centers around the tubular extension or shoulder l6 of the serrated wheel 5 and the clutch disk 2 I. This tubular extension l6 effectively supports the clutch disk 2i and the dished portion 2") of the latter serves to preventany substantial movement of said clutch disk 2| either toward or from the serrated wheel. 5 or the adjacent gear segment 6. Preferably, the thickness of the clutch disk 2| is of the order of 0.007 inch more or less. For practical manufacturing tolerances and in the absence of the dished portion 2%, undesired sidewise movement of said clutch disk might develop during operation of the lighter mechanism. If so, the clutch disk 2i might become displaced from its supporting shoulder l 6 and come to rest on the axle 3 in which case the mechanism would bind or become inoperative.

The clutch disk 2| may advantageously be formed by a simple stamping operation and the provision of the end portions 2|d, 2|d efi'ectively anchor said clutch disk within the snufier lever 9.

Referring to Fig. 11, we have shown a modified clutch disk 22 which may have any required or desired outer configuration and which preferably, is formed from hardened, resilient steel. The clutch disk 22, the same as the aforesaid clutch disk 2|, is provided with a circular passage 22a which is surrounded by a dished portion 22b, the outer portion of said disk 22 at any suitable location, being provided with an angular clutch tooth 220. The upper surface of the clutch disk 22 is defined by a straight surface which, at its corners, engages the interior surface of the snuifer lever 9 when these parts are supported in assembled relation by the member or axle 3. Accordingly, it

will be understood that, when the clutch disk 22 forms part of a lighter mechanism, said clutch disk 22 is oscillatory as a unit with the snuifer lever 9 and serves to impart uni-directional movement to the serrated wheel 5 in the manner hereinbefore described with respect to the clutch disk 2 ll.

Referring to Fig. 8, we have shown a wheel blank 5a from which the serrated wheel 5 is to be formed, the wheel 5a being complete except for hardening thereof to the desired temper and the clockwise movement, Fig.

formation thereon of the peripheral serrations together with the ratchet teeth H. In accordance with the invention, each peripheral corner of the wheel 5a is beveled or chamfered as indicated at 5b. When the wheel 5a is subjected to a pressing operation in order to form the ratchet teeth II, the material is displaced outwardly toward the periphery of the serrated wheel. The bevel or chamfer 6b at the leftfl Fig. 8, permits such displacement of material to occur without resulting in radial enlargement of the wheel at the side thereof on which the ratchet teeth are formed. Should such radial enlargement occur the effect thereof would be undesirable because interfering with the formation of the peripheral serrations hereinafter described. Thereafter, when the wheel 5a is subjected to a cutting or other opera tion in order to form the peripheral serrations which are engaged by the pyrophoric element I, the peripheral material moves sidewise to some extent with consequent increase in the thickness of the wheel at its periphery. However, due to the presence of the bevels or chamfers 51), this increase in thickness does not become large or greater than the normal thickness of the serrated wheel. Hence, during operation of the assembled lighter mechanism, there is no undesired engagement of the serrated wheel 5 with the side walls of the snuifer lever. The bevels or chamfers 5b, then, permit formation of the serrations and ratchet teeth on the wheel 511 without increase in dimensions at the peripheral corners thereof. This is advantageous because preventing the production of a finished serrated wheel which is dimensionally inaccurate and, hence, not properly cooperative with the associated parts of a lighter mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 13, We have shown a serrated wheel 23 which corresponds with the serrated wheel 5 hereinbefore described with the exception that the longitudinal passage therethrough has somewhat greater diameter. A tubular shaft 24 is adapted to extend into the passage of the serrated wheel 23 to the extent permitted by a flange a and seated on the enlarged portion thereof toward the left. In this connection, it will be understood that the internal diameter of the cirlarger than'the external diameter of said enlarged shaft portion whereby said clutch disk is freely rotatable on said tubular shaft 24. After this assembly has been completed, the tubular shaft 24 is passed into the central passage of the serrated wheel 23 until the shaft flange 24a engages said serrated wheel 23. This yields an assembly of the character illustrated in Fig. 14 and, in connection therewith, it will be understood that the tubular shaft 24 is secured to the serrated wheel 23 in any desired manner, as by a driven fit, that these parts are rotatable together as a unit. As regards the assembly last noted, it will be understood that the clutch disk 2| is freely rotatable on the extending portion of the tubular shaft 24 and that the diameter of the enlarged portion 24b of said shaft 24 is greater than the diameter of the circular clutch disk passage whereby the clutch disk 2| is retained in position on the end of: the tubular shaft 24.

i from duplicate portions.

In Fig. 12, we have shown a lighter mechanism of which the assembly illustrated in Fig. 14 forms a part. The lighter mechanism of Fig, 12 operates in the same advantageous way as hereinbefore described with respect to the lighter mechanism of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, we have shown a one-piece blank 25 which, at opposite respective sides of the transverse center line L, is formed From the location of the center line L, each blank portion, in the order named, comprises a strip-like member 26, a square block or member 21 having a central passage 21,

a neck 28 and a pinion or gear segment 29 having a central passage 29a. In accordance with the invention, the respective gear segments 28'are folded symmetrically onto the blocks 21 to produce the structure illustrated in Fig. 19 wherein a part only of the integral strip-like members 26 are exposed. This folding operation is characterized by alinement of the respective sets of block and gear segment passages 21a, 29a all of which may have any desired or required diameter. Thereafter, the structure of Fig. 19 is out along the lines Ll, L2 to thereby produce a pair of duplicate gear segment arrangements 30 of the character shown in Fig. 20. In connection with this gear segment arrangement, it will be noted that the ends of the gear teeth extend to some extent beyond the sides of the block 21. Further, it will be noted that each gear segment arrangement 30 comprises a folded member 3| which is formed from the neck 28 previously described and that, in alinement therewith, a member 32 extends from the block 21, this member 32 being a part of the aforesaid strip-like member 26.

In Figs. and 16, we have illustrated a snuiler lever 33 which, in known manner, comprises a pair of parallel side walls 34, 34 depending from an integral top wall. Each sidewall 84, in the enlarged portion thereof, is provided with a square passage 34a, these passages 34a being transversely alined and each being adapted to receive the block 21 of a gear segment arrangement. Extending in opposite directions from each passage 24a are alined clearance passages 34b, 34c adapted to very loosely receive the members 3| and 32 of the aforesaid gear arrangement.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that each snufler lever passage 34a is adapted to have disposed therein a block 21 of a gear se ment arrangement 30, the gear segment 29 of each gear segment arrangement being disposed exteriorly of the adjacent snufier cap surface, Fig. 16, and facing in the opposite direction from the snufler cap end of the snuffer lever. From a consideration of Fig. 16, it will be noted that the ends of each set of gear teeth are in engagement with an exterior wall surface of the snuifer lever 23. Inward displacement of the two gear segment arrangements is thereby prevented, this being a highly desirable feature because contributing to the ease of the assembling operation. It will also be noted that the sets of passages 21a, 29a are in transverse alinement for the reception of the hereinbefore described axle 3, or equivalent.

It will be obvious to those familiar with the type of pyrophoriclighter herein illustrated that the assembly illustrated in Fig. 16 may readily be associated with the other component parts of the lighter mechanism to produce a complete lighter assembly as shown in Fig. 12. When assembled, the rack extensions 15 hereinbeiore described mesh with the respective gear segments 28. Upon depression of the thumb piece, power is transmitted to said gear segments 2! and thence to the snufier lever 33 by way of the driving connections formed by the blocks 21 which, as described, closely engage the surfaces defining the respective snufier cap passages 34a.

Gear segment arrangements of the character described can be preduced more expeditiously and less expensively than can prior art arrangements utilizable for the same purpose. The gear or pinion teeth'are more perfect and the critical dimension between facing surfaces of the blocks 21, Fig. 16, conforms in a highly desirable manner to the requirements imposed by manufacturing requirements.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended'claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A lighter having a fuel casing, an axle supported adjacent said casing, a wick, a snufler for said wick having a side, wall provided with a non-circular opening adjacent said axle, and a fitting of U-shaped section having its legs pivoted about said axle, one of said legs engaging in the aforesaid opening in the muffler said wall, and the remaining leg of said fitting being disposed outwardly of said snufier side wall, a reciprocable fingerpiece located adjacent said snufler, said last mentioned leg of the fitting and said fingerpiece having complementary driving and driven parts engaging to open and close the snufieras the fingerpiece is reciprocated.

2. A lighter having a fuel casing, spaced parallel supporting standards projecting therefrom, an

axle extending between said standards, a wick, a

snufier for said wick having opposite side walls disposed between said standards, each side wall having a non-circular opening adjacent said axle, and fittings of U-shaped section having their legs pivoted about said axle respectively adjacent said standards, the inner legs of said' fittings respectively engaging in the aforesaid openings in the snuifer side walls, and the remaining legs of said fittings being respectively disposed outwardly of said s'nufier side walls, a reciproca-ble fingerpiece located adjacent said snufier, the last mentioned legs of said fittings and said fingerpiece having complementary driving and driven parts engaging to openand close the snuffer as the fingerpiece is reciprocated.

3. A lighter having a fuel casing, an axle supported adjacent said casing, a sparking wheel mounted upon said axle and having a central hub extending from one side face thereof, said last mentioned face of the sparking wheel having ratchet teeth surrounding said hub, a pawl plate rotatably surrounding said hub and having a pawl finger engageable with said ratchet teeth, a wick adjacent the said sparking wheel, a snufier for said wick having a side wall engaging the outer face of said pawl plate, and means for opening and closing said snufier, said snuifer and pawl plate having parts engaging to actuate the pawl plate and wheel upon opening movement of the snuifer.

extending from one side face thereof. said last mentioned lace oi the sparking wheel having ratchet teeth surrounding said hub, a pawl plate having a dished annular central portion rotatably en aging said hub and having a pawl finger engageable with said ratchet teeth, a wick adjacent the said sparking wheel, a snuffer for said wick having a side wall engaging the outer face of said pawl plate, and means for opening and closing said snuflfer, said snuil'er and pawl plate having 10 parts engaging to actuate the pawl plate and.

wheel upon opening movement 0! the snuifer.

- RAY L. BURCH-Err.

FREDERICK/MEYER.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

